Paul Brian McCoy" />
Psycho Drive-In logo
Search
  • PDI Press
    Featured
    • BETTY WHITE VS THE STUPID WORLD: The Movie

      Paul Brian McCoy
      January 17, 2022
      Fiction, PDI Press, PDI Press Writers
    Recent
    • BETTY WHITE VS THE STUPID WORLD: The Movie

      John E. Meredith
      January 17, 2022
    • Betty White Vs the Stupid World (Chapter Seven)

      John E. Meredith
      January 16, 2022
    • Betty White Vs the Stupid World (Chapter Six)

      John E. Meredith
      January 15, 2022
    • PDI Press Catalog
    • PDI Press Writers
      • Fiction
  • Columns A-D
    • A Fistful of Dollar Comics
    • ABCs of Horror
    • All Binge… No Purge
    • Anything Joes
    • Beautiful Creatures
    • Big Eyes Smart Mouth
    • Big Sleeps and Long Goodbyes
    • Cahiers du Horror
    • Dispatches From the Field
    • Drive-In Saturday
    • Dungeons & D-Listers
  • Columns F-P
    • The Final Girl
    • First Looks… Second Thoughts
    • The Flesh is Weak
    • Innocence and Experience
    • Lost in Translation
    • Page to Screen
    • Popcorn Cinema
    • Psycho Essentials: The ’80s!
  • Columns S-Z
    • Schlock & Awe
    • Shakespeare on Film
    • Shot for Shot
    • Sick Flix
    • Unnatural Selections
    • Versus
    • Video Word Made Flesh
    • We Got Lists
    • Women in Horror
    • The Xeno File
    • Zombies 101
  • Reviews
    Featured
    • Skinamarink (2023) - Take Two

      Paul Brian McCoy
      January 30, 2023
      Movies, Reviews
    Recent
    • Skinamarink (2023) – Take Two

      John E. Meredith
      January 30, 2023
    • Skinamarink (2023)

      Nate Zoebl
      January 24, 2023
    • Christmas Picks: Black Christmas (1974)

      Paul Brian McCoy
      December 24, 2022
    • Books
    • Comics
    • DVD/Blu-ray
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Series
  • Interviews
    Featured
    • Interview with Indie Horror Master, Chris Bickel

      Paul Brian McCoy
      July 13, 2018
      Interviews
    Recent
    • Interview with Indie Horror Master, Chris Bickel

      The Final Girl
      July 13, 2018
    • David Black: Carnies, Carnage, and the Creative Chaos of Darkness Visible

      Dan Lee
      March 7, 2017
    • Jaiden Kaine joins the Marvel Universe as new Luke Cage baddie, Zip

      Andre Lamar
      September 29, 2016
    • SDCC 2016 Interviews: The Cast and Creators of Batman: The Killing Joke

      Jason Sacks
      July 28, 2016
    • SDCC 2016 Interviews: The Cast and Creators of Syfy’s Van Helsing

      Dave Hearn, Paul Brian McCoy
      July 27, 2016
    • Wondercon Interview: The Cast of Damien

      Gary Richardson, Laura Akers
      April 16, 2016
  • News
    Featured
    • Breaking Down The Upcoming DC Studios Slate

      Paul Brian McCoy
      February 1, 2023
      News, Shot for Shot
    Recent
    • Breaking Down The Upcoming DC Studios Slate

      Paul Brian McCoy
      February 1, 2023
    • John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum arrives on Digital 8/23 and 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand 9/10

      psychodr
      July 30, 2019
    • X-Men: Dark Phoenix arrives on Digital 9/3 and 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD 9/17

      Paul Brian McCoy
      July 16, 2019
    • Trailers
  • Psychos
  • Merchandise
Breaking
  • Skinamarink (2023) - Take Two
  • Skinamarink (2023)
  • Christmas Picks: Black Christmas (1974)
  • Christmas Picks: Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 (1987)
  • Christmas Picks: Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)
  • Christmas Picks: Violent Night (2022)
  • RSS
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Who We Be
  • Contact
  • PDI Press
    • PDI Press Catalog
    • PDI Press Writers
      • Fiction
  • Columns A-D
    • A Fistful of Dollar Comics
    • ABCs of Horror
    • All Binge… No Purge
    • Anything Joes
    • Beautiful Creatures
    • Big Eyes Smart Mouth
    • Big Sleeps and Long Goodbyes
    • Cahiers du Horror
    • Dispatches From the Field
    • Drive-In Saturday
    • Dungeons & D-Listers
  • Columns F-P
    • The Final Girl
    • First Looks… Second Thoughts
    • The Flesh is Weak
    • Innocence and Experience
    • Lost in Translation
    • Page to Screen
    • Popcorn Cinema
    • Psycho Essentials: The ’80s!
  • Columns S-Z
    • Schlock & Awe
    • Shakespeare on Film
    • Shot for Shot
    • Sick Flix
    • Unnatural Selections
    • Versus
    • Video Word Made Flesh
    • We Got Lists
    • Women in Horror
    • The Xeno File
    • Zombies 101
  • Reviews
    • Books
    • Comics
    • DVD/Blu-ray
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Series
  • Interviews
  • News
    • Trailers
  • Psychos
  • Merchandise
Home
DVD/Blu-ray

Maleficent (2014) Blu-ray Review

Paul Brian McCoy
November 2, 2014
DVD/Blu-ray, Movies, Reviews

Warning: A non-numeric value encountered in /home/psychodr/public_html/wp/wp-content/themes/valenti/library/core.php on line 1104

Our man Jeffrey Roth reviewed Maleficent back in June and while he thought the film was beautiful to look at, felt it dropped the ball when it came to the story. Be sure to take a look at his review, because he raises a number of good points. Ultimately, I kind of agree, but I disagree about some things, too. So let’s dig into it, shall we?

M-poster

The Movie

Right off the bat, let me confirm that yes, this is a simply gorgeous film. Angelina Jolie was born to play Maleficent and Elle Fanning does a very good job playing the, quite frankly, more difficult role of Aurora. The Sleeping Beauty herself has always been fairly one-note and characterized more by her inaction than by any real character trait, and Fanning brings a lot of energy and wide-eyed innocence to the role. Because the film spends the time to watch her grow up, we, along with Maleficent, kind of fall in love with her. Visually, she’s also a lovely contrast to Maleficent’s angles and darkness, being all soft edges, light, and smiles.

So much so, that at times the character almost seems simple. That’s a hard line to walk, but Fanning does it.

And while I’m not a big fan of the catsuit Maleficent we get at the climax of the film, overall the look of Maleficent is breathtaking. A little less so in the early part of the film, before she goes full-on evil, but even there, Jolie makes a striking fairy queen. Unfortunately, the rest of the cast leaves something to be desired. Sharlto Copley is suitably evil as Stefan the Wannabe Royal Date Rapist. And I know that the pixies are supposed to be silly and charming — and Imelda Staunton, Lesley Manville, and Juno Temple do their best with the material — but I wanted to tear my hair out during every scene they were in. I mean, when Maleficent calls them “Pixie idiots” in the deleted scenes, it’s harsh, but true.

Maleficent-01

The hazards of being a forty-something man watching a movie aimed mostly at children, I suppose.

Sam Riley does a good job as Diaval the crow, transformed into human form. He gets to play Maleficent’s conscience as well as her henchman, er, henchcrow. And Brenton Thwaites is appropriately bland and lifeless as the revisionist version of Prince Phillip. I’m sure little girls will find him cute, but the boy needed a haircut if you ask me. A brief bright spot early is Kenneth Cranham as the wicked King Henry, but that should be no surprise. He’s Kenneth Effing Cranham, for Pete’s sake.

But what about the story?

Well, Jeffrey’s not wrong when he says that it lacks some weight, but a comparison to Wicked is both apt and off-target, I think. We’ve got to look at the audience here, and there’s just no way Disney was going to produce a film that went too dark (on the surface, anyway) when dealing with their most popular villain and one of their most popular princesses, as much as we’d all love to see it. So instead, the script by Linda Woolverton is hemmed in before it even gets a chance to start. Despite the inherent limitations of what they can do, Maleficent is still able to subvert the traditional fairy tale and Disney narrative structures, sneaking in some valuable moments for young girls to absorb.

Maleficent-02

The most disturbing moment in the film is one of the most emotionally honest for Jolie to play, and should be required viewing for all little girls. The moment when Stefen returns to Maleficent after years away (their young love was a very strong and effecting element of the opening chapters), roofies her like a frat boy and then cuts off her wings without her even waking up, was horrifying. The date rape imagery combined with the slow realization that spreads across Jolie’s face as she realizes how she’s been violated is haunting and grotesque.

Even more important here is the fact that from this point on, one of the themes of the film is that “True Love” is a fairy tale, too. There’s love, for sure, but the film seems to want to emphasize the fact that love is a real thing that changes, grows, and sometimes, unfortunately, fades. This is such an important revision of the original story’s themes that it really needs to have a spotlight shined on it. Because if True Love is just a tale that we tell children, it makes Prince Phillip’s character entirely superficial to the story. Especially since the film has shifted the real dynamic of hostility to Maleficent and Stefan — as well as the final act’s battle (and yes, the dragon shows up!). Even when the pixies manhandle Phillip in to kiss the sleeping Aurora (in a scene that has always been creepy to me), it accomplishes nothing.

But it teaches a lesson.

kinopoisk.ru

I loved the shift in theme, making the focus of the film Maleficent’s growing love for Aurora as an adopted child (not a surprising turn, given Jolie’s own life), so much so that it is her True Love’s Kiss that breaks the curse. It not only provides a nice example of a mother/daughter relationship to rival the traditional father/son dynamic we are bombarded with in film (if I never see Field of Dreams again, it’ll be too soon), but we also get to watch Maleficent grow and change; losing her innocence and wallowing in rage (justifiably so) before learning to deal with her pain and find a way to feel again.

That’s powerful stuff, and given the appalling numbers when it comes to rape statistics in this country, it’s an important journey to have symbolically represented in a children’s story. Especially one from Disney, which practically guarantees that it will be played over and over again in households around the world (it’s the third highest worldwide grossing film of 2014, so somebody’s going to be watching it again, no doubt — parents be warned!). With any luck it can replace Pretty Woman as high school girls’ favorite “fairy tale” romance (something that troubled me to no end when I was teaching).

MALEFICENT

So yeah, as a forty-something dude, the movie wasn’t really my thing, but it was extremely well-done, and sneaks some important themes and life lessons in there. If I had a daughter, I’d watch it with her. It’s the sort of film that would play well on lazy Sunday afternoons along with other classic fantasies. Do TV networks still do that? When I was growing up Sundays were all about Gulliver’s Travels, Doctor Doolittle, and other fantastic tales. Maleficent would fit nicely alongside them.

The Disc

There’s not a lot to say here. The film looks amazing, which is saying something for a work with this many digital effects. But it’s a Disney disc, so that’s kind of to be expected. Disney’s live-action films and their Marvel Studios releases are all about as good as they can be. So from a sheer video/audio quality standpoint, this is a damn-near perfect release.

The Extras

Aurora: Becoming a Beauty (4:53): Personally, I would not have thought Elle Fanning was the perfect Aurora right out of the gate, but she was the first choice and she fits exactly with what this Aurora is supposed to be. She has an innocence and exuberance about her that embodies this version of the Disney princess. She also seems to have loved playing in this world; And why wouldn’t she? I mean, it’s a Disney Princess world. We’re just living in it.

Maleficent-05

From Fairy Tale to Feature Film (8:13): This is a fairly standard look at the development of the film’s production, talking to stars, writer, director, etc. Angelina Jolie apparently signed on to the project because she loved the character, but didn’t think they’d ever be able to figure out a way to make the film. Ha ha! Gotcha, Angelina!

Once Woolverton cracked the script — basing the source of the character’s anger on the stealing of her wings — it all fell into place. Plus the decision to retool the “True Love’s kiss” idea to shift the film’s focus from “Boy meets Girl” to exploring a mother’s love for her child (despite Aurora not being Maleficent’s birth-child) is extremely affecting. And I kind of love the rig they used to make Maleficent’s flying movements more graceful and controlled. No wires here. Well, a few wires, I guess.

Building an Epic Battle (5:48): If you want to see the Disney Production Machine in action, this is the featurette for you. They spared very little expense to stage the battle scene that closes the first act of the film, building a gigantic rig in a huge field so they could stage flying shots and the effects required to have Maleficent swooping through an invading army and sending them scattering. It’s impressive, I have to admit.

Maleficent-06

Classic Couture (1:34): Like an ad for a jewelry company, the camera lovingly circles and examines a couple of Maleficent’s headpieces and some of her rings while the designer talks over it. There’s not much here, but it’s just gorgeous to look at. The amount of detail brought to every level of the production is exemplified here. Anybody with a goth Etsy shop should take some notes here.

Maleficent Revealed (4:45): This is pretty much just a behind-the-scenes look at the construction of the visual effects with no discussion. It’s a little boring and can be skipped.

Deleted Scenes:

  1. “Stefan in King’s Chamber” – Cut so we wouldn’t see early on just how evil and ruthless Stefan had become during his time away from Maleficent. Its removal makes the date rape scene more of a disturbing surprise.
  2. “Pixies Seek Asylum” – More pixie scenes should have been cut, if you ask me.
  3. “Pixie Idiots” – Probably a bit harsh to make it into the film, but accurate.
  4. “Diaval Asks about the Curse” – A cute scene, but from a pacing standpoint, cutting where they did was much more effective. Sometimes, you’ve just got a line that is definitely the closer.
  5. “Suitor” – Disturbing to think that the pixies were going to be parading young men in to kiss the sleeping princess. Another reason to not like the pixies. They kept the digital effects, though, for when Prince Phillip is brought in.

APPIP ERROR: amazonproducts[
AccessDeniedAwsUsers|The Access Key Id AKIAIIK4RQAHE2XK6RNA is not enabled for accessing this version of Product Advertising API. Please migrate your credentials as referred here https://webservices.amazon.com/paapi5/documentation/migrating-your-product-advertising-api-account-from-your-aws-account.html.
]
(Visited 111 times, 1 visits today)
Maleficent (2014) Blu-ray Review
4.0Overall Score

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Angelina JolieDisneyElle FanningMaleficentPaul Brian McCoySharlto Copley

The Walking Dead 5.03 “Four Walls and a Roof”
Gotham 1.06 “Spirit of the Goat”

About The Author

monsterid
Paul Brian McCoy
Co-Founder / Editor-in-Chief / Dreamweaver

Paul Brian McCoy is the Editor-in-Chief of Psycho Drive-In. His first novel, The Unraveling: Damaged Inc. Book One is available at Amazon US & UK, along with his collection of short stories, Coffee, Sex, & Creation (US & UK). He recently contributed the 1989 chapter to The American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1980s (US & UK). He also kicked off Comics Bulletin Books with Mondo Marvel Volumes One (US & UK) and Two (US & UK) and PDI Press with Marvel at the Movies: 1977-1998 (US & UK), Marvel at the Movies: Marvel Studios (US & UK), and Spoiler Warning: Hannibal Season 1 - An Unauthorized Critical Guide (US & UK). Paul is also unnaturally preoccupied with zombie films and sci-fi television. He can be found babbling on Twitter at @PBMcCoy.

Daily Top Ten

  • Lost in Translation 274: She-Ra and the Princesses of PowerLost in Translation 274: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power by Scott Delahunt
  • Advance Review: Russian Yeti – The Killer LivesAdvance Review: Russian Yeti – The Killer Lives by Paul Brian McCoy
  • Wolves (2014)Wolves (2014) by Paul Brian McCoy
  • Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) by The Final Girl
  • Anything Joes: S01E49 - A Hito Kara Kuri ChristmasAnything Joes: S01E49 – A Hito Kara Kuri Christmas by Greg Engle
  • Lost in Translation 333: The RWBY Official Manga AnthologyLost in Translation 333: The RWBY Official Manga Anthology by Scott Delahunt
  • The Incredible Hulk (2008)The Incredible Hulk (2008) by Keith Dallas
  • Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009)Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009) by Matthew Fantaci
  • Preview: SyFy's Beast LegendsPreview: SyFy’s Beast Legends by Charles Webb
  • Spartacus interview #2 (of 5): Dustin ClareSpartacus interview #2 (of 5): Dustin Clare by Karyn Pinter
400x400 GI Joe Funko Banner

Weekly Top Ten

  • House of Wax (2005)House of Wax (2005) by The Final Girl
  • The Final Girl: I Spit on Your Grave (2010)The Final Girl: I Spit on Your Grave (2010) by The Final Girl
  • Sick Flix: Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975)Sick Flix: Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975) by Corin Totin
  • Tusk (2014)Tusk (2014) by Alex Wolfe
  • Advance Review: The Legend of Tarzan (2016) Blu-rayAdvance Review: The Legend of Tarzan (2016) Blu-ray by Paul Brian McCoy
  • The Watcher (2016)The Watcher (2016) by Jessica Sowards
  • Adventure Time 6.20 “Jake the Brick”Adventure Time 6.20 “Jake the Brick” by Dave Hearn
  • Boardwalk Empire 3.10: "A Man, A Plan"Boardwalk Empire 3.10: “A Man, A Plan” by Jamil Scalese
  • Wolves (2014)Wolves (2014) by Paul Brian McCoy
  • Drive-In Saturday: Heavy Metal 2000 (2000)Drive-In Saturday: Heavy Metal 2000 (2000) by Alex Wolfe
400x400 UA Affiliate Banner

FACEBOOK

FACEBOOK

Latest Reviews

  • Skinamarink (2023) – Take Two

    John E. Meredith
    January 30, 2023
  • Skinamarink (2023)

    Nate Zoebl
    January 24, 2023
  • Christmas Picks: Black Christmas (1974)

    Paul Brian McCoy
    December 24, 2022

psychodrivein

Today at https://psychodrivein.com Lost in Transl Today at https://psychodrivein.com

Lost in Translation 431: The Guns of Navarone (1961)

The Guns of Navarone demonstrates how it is possible to adapt a novel, make changes for the studio, yet still remain true to the original.
---
Read more of Scott's article at the link in our profile!

#LostInTranslation #TheGunsOfNavarone #AlistairMacLean #GregoryPeck #DavidNiven #AnthonyQuinn #JamesDarren
Today at https://psychodrivein.com Breaking Down Today at https://psychodrivein.com

Breaking Down The Upcoming DC Studios Slate
 
Here's everything we know about the upcoming DC Studios slate straight from the mouth of James Gunn!
---
Read more of Paul's article at the link in our profile!

#DCStudios #DCU #JamesGunn #SupermanLegacy #Superman #CreatureCommandos #Waller #TheAuthority #SwampThing #Supergirl #SupergirlWomanOfTomorrow #Lanterns #GreenLantern #HalJordan #JohnStewart #BoosterGold #ParadiseLost #TheBraveAndTheBold #Batman #Robin #DamianWayne
Today at https://psychodrivein.com Anything Joes Today at https://psychodrivein.com

 Anything Joes: S01E52 - Winterfest III

Greg and Jaren discuss their trip, experiences, and acquisitions at Kentuckiana's Winterfest III!
---
Watch the @anythingjoespod boys at the link in our profile!

#AnythingJoes #GIJoe #Kentuckiana #Winterfest #CaptainMarvel #FawcettComics
Today at https://psychodrivein.com Skinamarink (2 Today at https://psychodrivein.com

Skinamarink (2023) - Take Two 

Much of what you get out of SKINAMARINK depends on what your own mind brings into it.
---
Read more of John's review at the link in our profile!

#Skinamarink #KyleEdwardBall #JaimeHill #LucasPaul #RossPaul #DaliRoseTetreault #JamieMcRae
Today at https://psychodrivein.com Lost in Transl Today at https://psychodrivein.com

Lost in Translation 430: Willow (2022)

Willow updated thirty-five years later shows how the original can grow, even with imperfections.
---
Read more of Scott's article at the link in our profile!

#Willow #DisneyPlus #ErinKellyman #TonyRevolori #EllieBamber #WarwickDavis #RubyCruz #AmarChadhaPatel #DempseyBryk #JoanneWhalley
Today at https://psychodrivein.com Skinamarink (2 Today at https://psychodrivein.com

Skinamarink (2023)

Skinamarink is the latest indie horror sensation and it’s easy for Nate to root for. But did it all add up in the end? 
---
Read more of Nate's review at the link in our profile!

#Skinamarink #KyleEdwardBall #JaimeHill #LucasPaul #RossPaul #DaliRoseTetreault #JamieMcRae
Today at https://psychodrivein.com Anything Joes: Today at https://psychodrivein.com

Anything Joes:  S01E51 - Army Surplus 

Greg and Jaren discuss GI Joe compatible toys that AREN'T created by Hasbro, the most recent news, and get caught up on recent listener mail!
---
Listen to the boys at the link in our profile!

#AnythingJoes @AnythingJoesPod #GIJoe #EagleForce #ActionForce
Today at https://psychodrivein.com Anything Joes: Today at https://psychodrivein.com

Anything Joes: S01E50 - G.I. Joe #16 / Night Attack! 

The next stage of Cobra's plan is unveiled as the Joes try to stop Dr. Venom from unleashing his deadly virus upon the population!
---
Watch and listen to @anythingjoespod at the link in our profile!

#AnythingJoes #GIJoe #MarvelComics
Today at https://psychodrivein.com Lost in Transl Today at https://psychodrivein.com

Lost in Translation 429: The Barbie Movie Teaser

Suffice to say that Barbie is probably the best known doll worldwide, recognizable on sight. 
---
Read more of Scott's article at the link in our profile!

#LostInTranslation #Barbie #BarbieMovie #MargotRobbie #RyanGosling #GretaGerwig
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Latest Columns

  • Lost in Translation 431: The Guns of Navarone (1961)

    Scott Delahunt
    February 3, 2023
  • Breaking Down The Upcoming DC Studios Slate

    Paul Brian McCoy
    February 1, 2023
  • Anything Joes: S01E52 – Winterfest III

    Greg Engle
    February 1, 2023

TWITTER

My Tweets

Look Who's Talking

millyleu
millyleu - 12/10/2022
Anything Joes: S01E47 – G.I. Joe #15 / Red Eye To Miami!
But he is cute as a cat though 😁 DN.M6K2M.ME/y9928YW
Kilo Magno
Kilo Magno - 12/10/2022
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
How could she forget such an important thing? a.X-LAB.FUN\h9928B
Matt The Lurker
Matt The Lurker - 12/10/2022
BETTY WHITE VS THE STUPID WORLD: The Movie
The lady in red is so beautiful tb.ZHUZHOU.INFO/F9928AN
RSSTwitterFacebookinstagramtumblr

Archives

Large_rectangle_336X280
All work on this site is Copyright © each individual writer.
  • PDI Press
    • PDI Press Catalog
    • PDI Press Writers
      • Fiction
  • Columns A-D
    • A Fistful of Dollar Comics
    • ABCs of Horror
    • All Binge… No Purge
    • Anything Joes
    • Beautiful Creatures
    • Big Eyes Smart Mouth
    • Big Sleeps and Long Goodbyes
    • Cahiers du Horror
    • Dispatches From the Field
    • Drive-In Saturday
    • Dungeons & D-Listers
  • Columns F-P
    • The Final Girl
    • First Looks… Second Thoughts
    • The Flesh is Weak
    • Innocence and Experience
    • Lost in Translation
    • Page to Screen
    • Popcorn Cinema
    • Psycho Essentials: The ’80s!
  • Columns S-Z
    • Schlock & Awe
    • Shakespeare on Film
    • Shot for Shot
    • Sick Flix
    • Unnatural Selections
    • Versus
    • Video Word Made Flesh
    • We Got Lists
    • Women in Horror
    • The Xeno File
    • Zombies 101
  • Reviews
    • Books
    • Comics
    • DVD/Blu-ray
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Series
  • Interviews
  • News
    • Trailers
  • Psychos
  • Merchandise
%d bloggers like this: